Newark, Passaic River

Discover Newark's urban wilderness

Explore the Passaic River with Canoemobile! Wilderness Inquiry’s Canoemobile is a fleet of vans each with six, handmade, 24-foot Voyageur canoes, safety and paddle equipment, and a crew of outdoor educators. The centerpiece of the Canoemobile is integrated classroom and outdoor education experiences utilizing under-appreciated urban resources, especially urban waterways. Canoemobile programming and educational activities operate in collaboration with local, state, and federal partners. Enjoy the company of others, work as a team, and learn about the watershed in your backyard!

Travel, Terrain, Etc...

You will be paddling in 24-foot Voyageur canoes, following the river's shorelines. The Voyageur canoes hold 6-10 paddlers. They are stable boats, designed specifically for safe trips on big water. Paddling distance varies depending upon the route. It is active but not strenuous.

Wilderness Inquiry outdoor educators are experienced boat captains that provide paddle and safety instructions. One boat captain will be with each canoe to steer the boat, ensure safety, and facilitate a fun experience for everyone!

Program partners will lead land-based activities surrounding urban water topics. Youth will rotate among the activity stations and paddling in canoes.

For clothing and gear, it is important to consider the weather. Here is a list of suggested items: - Rain jacket/poncho (WI will have ponchos available) - Jacket or sweater - Shoes that you are willing to get a little dirty - Water bottle (WI will have drinking water available) - Hat to protect you from the sun and rain Optional items: - Sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses - Camera in a plastic bag to keep it dry - Day pack

A note about the itinerary: Our trips are real adventures in the outdoors. While we'll make every effort to follow the itinerary listed here, elements may change due to weather or reasons beyond our control.

The Passaic River is an 80-mile river in New Jersey that flows through swamp lowlands in the northern portion of the state and then through more industrialized and urbanized areas including Paterson and downtown Newark. At its confluence with the Hackensack River, the Passaic empties into the tidal waters of Newark Bay, home of the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal, the third-largest container shipping facility in the US. The Passaic is also one of the most flood-prone river systems in the US. The river’s long history of industrialization has resulted in degraded water quality, sediment contamination, and loss of wetlands. In April 2014, the EPA announced a major effort to restore the Passaic, one of the biggest river clean-ups ever undertaken.

No Dates Scheduled

Canoemobile may have just passed through, or we are amidst planning future events!